Olivier Borde

Dear Shaded Viewers,

I first met Olivier Borde in London when he was working with Charles Anastase and then we met again this past Spring when he was participating in the Festival d'Hyeres.

DP: Where did you grow up and what was your life like as little Olivier Borde?

OB: Well I was born in Avignon and moved to the French Alps at the age of 4. I spent time living with both my parents and grandparents. My parents ran a restaurant by a beautiful lake and my brother and I were skiing and running around the mountains all the time. We moved back to Provence when I was 10 and spent my time enjoying the countryside, going to the beach and windsurfing.

DP: At what point was it important for you to choose your own clothes?

OB: I remember the first piece I bought when I was 10 and it was this weird stone bleached denim overalls at the "Pantashop" store in the Alps. I was so excited about it and so proud !!! lol ..
Then as a teenager I went through many different phases of style which included surfer, mod and then into my "Junior Gaultier" experimental stage

DP: Who are your style icons?

OB: David Hockney, Larry Clark, Rei Kawakubo and my Grandfather.

DP: Who do you think is the best dressed man that you know either personally, living or dead?
OB: My Grandfather again..

DP: What is the ultimate in sophistication for you and do you think that beingFrench gives you an edge on sophistication?

OB: Well the ultimate sophistication for me is feeling comfortable with who you are and what you wear.
I also believe sophistication has no nationality.

DP: What do you like to wear?
OB: I enjoy simple and comfortable clothes such as a nice pair of vintage Levis, a Ralph Lauren polo, sneakers (I also have an obsession for Nike windbreaker jackets)


DP: What inspires you when you design?

OB: Songs, films, books, stories and friends are my inspiration.
I don't really do sketches and the process of the collection is more about talking with my collaborators and friends regarding the mood, fabrics, colors.....
I like to approach working in the same way as I would if I was cooking, which means I have all the supplies and start mixing things together until I get to the point and I find the right balance for the garment.

DP: You just came back from a holiday, where were you and did you forget about
working while you were there?

OB: Well it technically wasn’t a Holiday, just 2 days on the beach, plus I’m spending the Summer in Provence. I never really forget about work because I don’t need a break from it. It would be like saying....ok I don't want to be inspired or have an idea right now...weird . right?!
It's just something you share all the time with people around and I love it .

DP: Do certain fabrics appeal to you more than others?

OB: It's very interesting to mix used / beaten or vintage fabrics with luxury fabrics. I also enjoy working with denim.

DP: Are you the hands on kind of designer?

OB: I'm very hands-on when it comes to making the collection. I hand make practically all of the samples myself, and it's something I love to do.

DP: What is it about childhood that fascinates you the most ?

OB: The innocence and honesty and it also that it’s the stage where you begin to rebel and question things.

DP: What are some of the most memorable experiences in your life up until now?

OB: Showing my first collection in Paris, moving to London when I was younger, and being selected for the International Festival d'Hyeres.

DP: How did you start in fashion and who did you work for before opening your own
business?

OB: I started as the Creative Director of ICHTHYS. I then went onto collaborate with Charles Anastase before creating OLIVIER BORDE [GARDE-ROBE]

DP: How would you define your design philosophy? Who is the man that you have in mind when you design.

OB: I would describe my philosophy as Artisan.
I guess he is someone that is most likely creative and dresses in an effortless way as well as someone who appreciates well-made clothing and is not influenced much by trends.

DP: What are you working on now?

OB: Currently working on production of the SS 09 collection and beginning the process of creating the AW 09 collection.

DP: What would be your dream situation?

OB: To continue working with my friends and possibly open my own store one day.


DP: Future plans?

OB: Right now I take things one day at a time and just continue to do what I love, which is to make clothing that I hope people will love.
We’re currently working on our official website but you can view the collection and other images on our blog located at:

http://olivierbordegarderobe.blogspot.com/

The SS 09 Collection will be at Maria Luisa Homme.

Later,

Diane